Automatic parking meter



July 2, 1935.

R. W. BABSON AUTOMATIC PARKING METER I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IE5. w uVlll lllA iQZilIl/l jg WjdZ M/Z Filed April 11, 1931 L w L July 2, 1935. R. w. BABSON AUTOMATIC PARKING METER Filed April 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 2, 1935 1 2,006,619

UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC PARKING METER Roger W. Babson, Wellesley, Mass. Application April 11, 1931, Serial No. 529,419 21 Claims. (Cl. 194-6) The present invention relates to apparatus of line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the machine therethe general character disclosed in my prior Patin contained mainly in elevation and partly in ent No. 1,731,839, October 15, 1929, and my pendsection; ing application, Serial No. 420,270, filed Janu- Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of part of the ary 11, 1930, for controlling the parking of vemachine taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

5 hicles, particularly automobiles, in public places. Fig. 3a is a detail sectional elevation of the re- It has a similar purpose to that of said pending turning spring and its anchoring friction clutch; application, namely, of showing the authorities Figs. 4 and 5 are detail sectional views taken, whether or not a car parked in a public place is respectively, on lines 44 and 5-5 of Fig. 1;

properly parked, and to give notice at once to Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary elevations showall concerned when the car has been left being the coin handler of the machine with its relyond the limit of time permitted for parking in atively movable parts in two diflerent positions; that location, or when a license to park for a Fig. 8 is a fragme ta y perspective View and limited time has expired. cross section of a curb switch which forms part It is further related to my pending applicaof the complete apparatus;

' tion, Serial No. 466,421, filed July 8, 1930, having Fi 9 i a dia ram of the elect ical pa t a d the same fundamental purpose as that One, of connections of the complete apparatus shown in causing the signal means to be set in operation the preced g fi automatically by the automobile upon its ar- Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the second rival in the parking location, and of enabling the of the previously referred to embodiments of the 20 signal device to be located at any distance from invention;

the parked automobile without necessity of any Fig. 11 is a cross section taken on line ll| I physical connection between the automobile and of Fig. 10; Y the signal apparatus. In the main, the inven- Fig. 12 is a detail section enlarged taken on line tion here disclosed is an embodiment of the same l2-l2 of Fig. 11;

45 one disclosed in the application last named, but Fig. 13 is a d ag m o the ct a equipment wdiffers therefrom in providing alternative means f is latter em od m nt, c d g also t e by which parking limits of different duration are trolling master 01001! Which y be located at 11 provided for in difierent localities or zones, and distant station. in the provision of new and improved means for Like reference characters designate the same handling and disposing of coins, etc. deposited parts in all the fi u es wh v r th y oc ur- .in the machine to secure parking time, and for B th f s f appa atu are d d to be resetting the controlling or timing element of used in connection with visible signa p the machine to starting position upon departure ably, but t necessarily, in t e form of electric c-- 0! he car from a parking place. lights which are mounted adjacent to parking The present illustration of the invention is berths at the side of the street, or elsewhere, in

presented in tw mb di nt li bl such manner that a set of such signals is identispectively, to zones or localities in which differfled w h each berth- There m y e. and P ent time restrictions as to parking are estabably e, e green light indicating a the a lished. One embodiment is designed for use where is p p y p k d. d a red light to nd cate.

.,a relatively short free parking time is allowed When illuminated, that the Permitted pa and extensions of time are permitted in considtime as b exceeded y the ear n e co reeration for payment made by depositing a coin Spending berth- These lights e wn O ly n in the machine. The other embodiment is ap-- h diagram, 9, at G and R respectively, but

plicable to zones and localities where free parkpr l modes in w c ch lights, or eq v ing is permitted up to a certain hour of the day, lent signals, may be mounted visibly on a post,

and thereafter parking through all or any part or on the wall of a building or other structure of a further period is permitted in return for adjacent to the parking berth, will be readily appayment similarly made. parent to all those skilled in the art without spe- In the drawings,- ciiic illustration. The controlling apparatus or 5 Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine illusmachinery may be assembled in a box l5 of any trating the first embodiment, shown as mounted convenient design or character, which may be in a box or case having a door which is partly placed in any convenient location and con- .broken away to show the interior; nected by electrical conductors with the lamps v Fig. 2 is a cross section of the case taken on or other signal devices and with the main;

switch closable by the automobile when correctly parked. Such a switch is shown in Fig. 8 as a curb-stone switch consisting of a box l6 set into the sidewalk curb l1 and having an upright front wall l8 adapted to turn about a pivot l9 and being normally protruded by a spring 20 where it can be engaged and pressed inward by the nearer wheel of an automobile parked, squarely or diagonally, wheel to curb. Said upright wall I8 may be called for convenience the switch actuator, and may be considered as typical of any device capable of being engaged and moved by some part of a parked automobile so as to close one or more electrical circuits, and to return into open circuit position when disengaged by the automobile. In this embodiment the actuator carries three contact pins or fingers 2|, 22 and 23, all connected to one side of an electrical circuit and. adapted to be brought into touch, respectively, with complemental contacts 24, 25 and 26, in separate electrical circuits, when displaced from normal position by the parked automobile.

Closing of the circuits controlled by said contacts puts into operation the apparatus contained in the box l5. Such apparatus comprises the following. A frame consisting of a front plate 21, back plate 28 and intermediate connecting mem- -bers, is mounted in the box. This frame supports a self-starting synchronous electric motor 28 of a well known character, or any other equivalent prime mover capable of being started and stopped by external control and of running at a uniform rate. Such motor drives a speed reducing gearing 36, 3|, 32, 33 and 34, the last wheel of which is adapted to be meshed with a pinion 35 on an endwise movable shaft 36 which carries a timing,

member or element 31. Shaft 36 is coupled by flanking collars with a fork 38 on the arm 39 of a lever which is pivoted at 40 to the frame plate -28. The other arm 4| of this lever is forked to embrace a guide rod 42 fixed to the front plate of the frame and surrounded by a spring 43 which is confined between the arm 4| and an abutment 44, whereby it places and holds shaft 36 uncoupled from the motor, as shown in Fig. 2,except when overcome by superior force. A solenoid 45, having a core 46 which is connected to the lever arm 4|, furnishes such superior force when energized and shifts the pinion 35 into mesh with gear 34, thus c'oupling the timing member with the motor.

The timing member here shown is a circular cam disk having a high dwell 41, a low dwell 48, and shoulders 49 and 56 between them at opposite sides of the center of the cam. This cam or 'timing disk controls two switches, one of which,

consisting of a relatively stationary contact 5| and a relatively movable spring contact 52, controls the circuit of motor 28. When the contact 62 is pressed upon by the high part of the cam, this switch is closed, but when the low part 41 is next to the switch, the contact 52 separates fromthecomplemental contact and opens the circuit. These contacts are mounted on a block or insulating holder 53 which is'clamped'to plate 21 by a screw passing through a slot 55 in the block, to permit adjustment about the axis of .the' timing cam, for the purpose of accommodating this switch to substitute cams providing for a longer or shorter period "of free parking time. Contact .52 is secured to an arm 53a which is pivoted to holder-53.

stationary contact member 51 in circuit with the signal light R, and an intermediate circuit changing contact member 58 which is itself a spring strip under tension, or otherwise spring actuated, so that it tends to close against the contact 56. It protrudes into proximity to the timing cam, and has a bearing portion 56 on which the cam acts. These three switch members are carried by a holder 66 of insulating material supported on a pivot 6| and normally brought by a spring 62 against astop 66. In this position of the holder, the high part of cam 31 is adapted to bring the movable arm 58 against contact 51, while its low part permits the arm to return or to remain in contact with 66. This holder is connected with the core 64 of a solenoid 65 which, when energized, is adapted to withdraw the switch arm 58 from the cam and allow it to close the circuit with 56.

The switch carrying holder 66 and arm 66 are coupled'together by a link 65| in such manner that, when the holder 66 is tilted to withdraw the switch arm 58 from the high part of the cam, the switch contact 52, which at that time has been permitted by the low part of the cam to spring away from contact 5|, will be again closed against the latter contact. In order to accomplish these results in all of the adjusted positions of the holder 53, link 65| is preferably made as a screw threaded rod pivoted at one end 1 terminates adjacent to the upper side of the circumference thereof. The opposite sidewall of the chute extends to a considerable distance across the face of the disk at .a distance therefrom wide enough to admit a coin of prescribed dimensions, forming. a guard 16 to retain the coins in engagement with the disk. Such disk is rotated in a fixed ratio to the speed of the timing member 31, by a bevel gear 1| splined to shaft 36, a bevel gear 12 in mesh with 1|, a shaft 13, speed reducing gearing 14, and a shaft 16 to which the disk is secured, all as plainly shown in Fig. 3. The shaft sections 13 and 16, and the gearing associated therewith, aresupported by bearings secured 'to the frame.

A star wheel 16 having spaces between its arms suited to receive coins of a given diameter, is associated with the disk 68 and is adapted to enter and merge from a correspondingly sha recess 11 in the face of the disk. when wthdrawn into such recess, its outer side is sub-.

stantially flush with the faced the disk, or at ,least it protrudes so slightly thatit has no abilto engagement, by means of their inwardly bent ends, with inclined cam slots 19 formed in lugs 86 or an equivalent flange protruding from a head 8| which is secured to a sleeve 82 rotatably -surro1mding shaft 15. Said fingers and groovesare one embodiment of a cam or wedge device. which, upon rotation of sleeve 62 frelativlelyg-to shaft 15 in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 6, causes the star wheel to project from the disk, and by relative rotation in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7, causes the star wheel to be withdrawn into the complemental recess or pocket in the face of disk 69. The particular cam device here shown is intended to be typical of all equivalent alternatives which may be applied for the same purpose.

Sleeve 82 carries a gear pinion or segment 83 operable by teeth 84 on an endwise movable bar 85 which is part of, or connected to, the core 86 of a solenoid 81 and is withdrawn from the solenoid, when the latter is inactive, by a spring 88, as shown best in Fig. 4. The teeth 84 are so limited in number that they are out of engagement with the pinion 83 when the bar 85 is at either end of its movement, and the gear couple I3, 84 is otherwise so proportioned that when the teeth 84 are moved by the solenoid they cause protrusion of the star wheel 16, as shown in Fig. 6, and when oppositely moved by the spring 88 they cause withdrawal of the star wheel, as shown by Fig. '7. Thus, except when actually being moved by either the solenoid or spring, the teeth 84 leave the disk and star wheel free to be rotated in unison by shaft 15.

The star wheel 16 is so related to the coin chute as to arrest an inserted coin in substantially the position shown by broken lines at C except when one of the pockets registers with the chute outlet, and the end faces of the star wheel arms are so inclined as to cause such an arrested coin to roll back against the outer boundary 66a of the chute; this in order to prevent operation of the coin controlled part of the apparatus by any coin smaller than the one for which it is designed. Two separated contact pieces 89 and 90 are se cured to the inner curved wall of the chute, but insulated therefrom, as shown by Fig. 5, and extend side by side approximately concentric with the star wheel but projecting into the chute far enough to overlap the rim of a coin in the position C. These contact pieces embrace the peripheral part only of a coin of large enough diameter, and are near enough together, and otherwise formed, to be both engaged by the same coin from the time it reaches the position C in Fig. 5 until it is carried beyond them by continued rotation of the star wheel. These contact members are in circuit with the solenoid are provided for arresting it at zero position. One

of such stop members is secured stationary to the frame plate 21, and the other projects from shaft 38 in a position to clear the first stop when the shaft is moved endwise into coupled connection with the driving motor, but to strike the stop when shifted to the uncoupled location shown in Fig. 2. Inasmuch as the timing member may be turned through any angle between a few degrees up to more than a complete revolution, or even several revolutions, it is necessary to mount the returning spring in such a manner that it will permit any degree of rotation of the timing memher without being overwound, notwithstanding that the return of this member to zero position always involves less than a complete revolution, due to the position of the stop.

In satisfaction of this requirement, the spring is made as a flat spiral coiled around the shaft 36 and made fast thereto at its inner end. Its outer end is anchored frictionally, not positively, to the frame plate 28. Such anchorage in the present illustration is comprised by a cylindrical drum 93, in which the spring is confined and to which its outer end is secured by'a hook 94; and a gripper in the nature of brake shoes 95, connected to the frame by a pivot 96, embracing the drum and pressed against its outer surface by a spring 91. By suitable design and adjustment of said gripper shoes and their spring, the returning spring 9| is held with sufficient firmness to enable it to return the timing member 31 and the coin propelling disk 69, which is permanently geared to the timing disk, back to their zero positions. Nevertheless the spring holding drum is enabled to slip in the grippers when movement of the timing member continues after the spring has been wound up to a predetermined degree. Thus the spring is neither overwound nor overstrained, nor does it impose any positive limit to the extent of rotation which can be given to the timing member at will.

Further elements of the apparatus are a thermostatic switch 98 in an alternative circuit for supplying current to the lights, etc., and a relay switch 99 in the heater circuit of the thermostatic switch. These switches may be contained in the same box with the apparatus previously described, or in any other convenient location. The thermal switch comprises a bimetallic bar adapted to be flexed back and forth with changes of temperature, carrying a contact I00 which is thus movable into and out of bridging connection with two separated and insulated contacts IOI in the supply circuit. The relay switch is provided in order to avoid destructive sparking of the main switch contacts when the circuit carrying the heavy heating current is broken. It comprises an arm to which one terminal of a circuit is connected adapted to close against and separate from a complemental contact I02. It is normally held away from the latter contact by a spring I03 and is brought into circuit closing position by an electro-magnet I84 when the latter is energized.

This relay switch is in circuit with an electric heater I05 which delivers heat to the bimetallic bar 88.

The electrical connections are shown in the diagram Fig. 9, in connection with representations of the parts previously described, to which the reference characters previously used have been applied. a represents a conductor for bringing current to the apparatus from any suitable source of supply, ordinarily the electric lighting and power supply of the community in which the apparatus is installed. This conductor leads to the member 2|, and its branches 22 and 23, ofthe curb-stone switch. From the complemental contact 26 a. conductor 11 leads to one member of the motor controlling switch 5 I 52, from the other member of which a conductor 0 leads to the motor. A branch d from the conductor 22 leads to the circuit closing and changing contact arm 88 of the signals; and a conductor e leads from the complemental contact 56 to the signal u, while a conductor ,f leads from the contact 51 to the signal R. Another conductor 0 branches from b and leads to the solenoid 81.

A conductor It leads from the second contact 25 of the main switch to the solenoid BI by which the signal switch is shifted; a conductor i leads from the other terminal of solenoid winding 85 to one of the separated contacts, as 88, of the coin control switch; and a conductor 1 leads from the other contact, as 89, of this'switch, to the return line, or ground. The third contact 24 of the main switch is coupled by a conductor k with the magnet I of the relay switch 99. All of the apmoney); withv further extensions of an hour each for further payment of like sums; On this basis the timing member 31 is arranged to start from the position shown in Fig. land rotate in the direction of the arrow at the rate of one revolution per hour. The coin carrying disk is organized to retain the coin in circuit closing engagement with the contacts ll and SI for one hour from the time it drops into a rising pocketv until it falls out of the pocket with further rotation of the latter. As illustrated, the disk is therefore provided with four coin pockets, rotates at one-fourth the angular speed of the timing disk,

. :1, thereby turning sleeve .2 so as to project the star wheel element 16 of the coin receiving disk, closes the relay switch 9!, and then flows through the heating coil I05 of the thermostatic switch. whereby the contact IOII closes the circuit across the contacts II I The signal G being illuminated. shows that the car is correctly parked and has not overstayed the time limit. At the end of half an hour, rotation of the cam has brought it into reversed position, whereby the switch II, I! is opened, which stops the motor, and the switch arm BI is shifted from contact a to contact I1, putting out the light G and turning on the light R, which shows to all concerned that the car has overstayed the free parking time; that is, if the owner has not anticipated an overstay by depositing a coin of the p rope'r denomination.

When a coin is inserted into thechute, it

bridges the gap between contacts I! and II,

causing the solenoid 65 to be energized, which pulls back the holder I and allows the switch arm II to return, by its spring force or by gravity, into touch with contact 56, returning signal G to action and disabling signal B. At the same time the arm 53a pivoted on holder 83 is tilted by its connection with holder 6., causing the switch contact 52, if then separated from contact II, to be closed against it, whereby the motor is started. If the car remains parked thereafter for more than the time required to complete the revolution of the cam, the high part of the latter, coming'again into engagement with contact it, merely slides over the already closed switch Cooperation oi! spring 62, stop 3, rigid link "I, and abutment 652, normally holds the arm "a firmly in place when no coin is deposited, so that 'aooaois contact I! is able to spring away from 5!" as permitted by the cam. Y a.

If the motorist anticipates leaving the car for more than the free period, he can deposit the coin before leaving, whereupon the green light will continue to show for an hour and a. half, and the motor will not cease running in that time, unless the car leaves sooner. Before the star wheel arrives in position to receive the coin in its uppermost pocket, it holds the coin on the end 017 one of its arms ready to fall into the pocket, and in circuit closing position, as shown at C in Fig. 5. Upon dumping the coin from the star disk the signal is returned to the red light and the motor is stopped. a This action may be repeated by depositing coins from time to time, or by original ly inserting a number of coins suflicient to pay for whatever parking time. the driver desires to purchase. 7

Upon withdrawing the car from the berth, the main switch automatically opens, and, if the thermostatic switch were not provided, all of the circuits and electrical devices would become dead, no matter at what time it occurs and whether a coin is in the chute or not. Thereupon the-signal light would be extinguished, the star wheel I8 retracted into its pocket in the disk 69 (by the operation of rack bar under the pull of spring 88) whereby any coin supported by the star wheel would be immediately released and dropped, the timing member uncoupled from the motor by action of spring 43, and this disk and the coin disk restored to starting position by the spring 8|.

The reason for providing the thermostatic switch is to delay the effect due to withdrawal of the car for an appreciable period in order that a motorist may not fraudulently obtain an ex} tension of free parking time by moving his car away from the curb and returning it, without first giving another driver an opportunity to occupy the same space. Hence the thermostatic switch is interposed in a circuit n which leads directly from the supply line to the signal controlling switch and to the coupler controlling solenoid ll. However, the relay switch controlling the current flow to the heater, I05 is opened as soon as the car moves away and the heat responsive element of the thermostatic switch then begins to cool off. The cooling time is so reguwill be noted that the relay switch I02 and heat-.

ing coil I05 are in a shunt circuit from the con ductor n, whereby current flow to the heating coil does not pass through any of the contacts of the main or curb-stone switch. 7

The other illustrated form of the'invention' is,

designed for use in zones or localities where cars are allowed to park free for a stated part of the day, say all the forenoon up to 12:30 noon, or

any other period when parking space is not in great demand, but payment is demanded for use.

of the space after the prescribed limit. The modification of equipment for that purpose contains many of the same parts, functioning in the same way as those first described, but is different mother particulars. Thev signals. controlling 515d switch therefor, and motor for the timing member are the same. However, the timing member 31a may be permanently coupled to the motor and geared to rotate at a slower rate, say once in twelve hours, or other given time period; and it is designed to shift the signal changing switch from G to R immediately after it starts, but not to open the motor controlling switch 5| a, 52a until after the end of the time, following the free parking period, during which further parking is permitted To a stated sum.

A master itch H is connected in the motor circuit, and operated so as to close a break in the circuit between the motor and switch la at the stated hour. Such master switch may be a time switch for a single parking station, located at the station, or an automatic time switch or manually controlled switch located at a central station and in parallel connection with the motor circuits of all the parking signals in the zone. The circuit for the signal lights may be opened and closed by the same, or an equivalent, master switch; or the current for the signals may be in condition to flow assoon as the automobile presses the curbstone switch. In any event, the effect of closing the master switch is to start up the motor and cause the red signal R to show in connection with any parking berth then occupied by a car unless the car owner has previously deposited a coin.

When the car closes the curb-stone switch, it causes current to flow through a conductor 0 to a solenoid III which draws a spring retracted gate H! to cross the chute 66 in position to arrest the ,coin deposited therein. The coin .placed in the chute is stopped by the gate in the position shown at C in Fig. 11, wherein it extends between contact springs H3 and H4, in contact with both, and closes circuit i which operates solenoid 65 and brings the signal changing switch into position to show the'green light, for as long as the car stays in the berth, or until the current supply is shut off at the power house or other control station. Opening of the main switch by withdrawal of the car or shutting ofl' of the current otherwise, de-energizes solenoid Ill and allows the gate to be opened by its spring H5, releasing the coin which then falls out ofthe chute.

It will be understood that the solenoids herein shown and described are equivalent to other forms of electromagnetic motors and typify any motive elements capable of being used for the purposes which they serve. Hence the term "electro-magnet has been used herein with generic significance to designate any such device. It will also be understood that red and green signal lights have been selectetras the indicating means of this apparatus on account of their convenience and because their colors are generally understood as having conventional meanings analogous to those which the respective signals convey in the foregoing description. However, a wide variety of other signal devices, whether illuminated or' not, may be used equivalently to the specific ones described. In many other respects also variations from the specific disclosure may be made within the scope of this invention and the protection which I seek, as set forth in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description of purpose and use of the invention is not to be taken as a limitation of the scope of protection whichI claim. 0n the contrary, I claim the essentials of all novel principles, combinations and mechanisms herein disclosed, for all Usesto'whIch they may be put.v

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A parking signal apparatus comprising means operable by a parked vehicle for setting in motion a timing apparatus, a signal device, a timing apparatus having means for actuating said signal after a predetermined period, and coin controlled means for preventing the actuation of the signal thereby.

2. A signal device for showing overtime of a parked automobile comprising the combination of a signal member, a main actuator therefor controllable by a parked automobile, a timing means, a secondary actuator for said signal device controllable by said timing means, and coin controlled means for removing said secondary actuator from the influence of said timing means.

3. A signal apparatus for showing overtime of parked vehicles comprising an electric signal, a main switch and secondary switch in series circuit with said signal, said main switch being closable by a parked vehicle and the secondary switch being normally open, a timing member movable at a prescribed rate of speed having means .for closing the secondary switch, electromagnetic means adapted when energized to remove the secondary, switch from the influence of said timing means, a coin receiver, and a circuit closer operable by a deposited coin for energizing said electromagnetic means.

4. A parking. indicator comprising a plurality of different signals in parallel electric circuits, a two-way switch normally in closed circuit relation with one of said signals and adapted to be shifted into. open circuit relation thereto and closed circuit relation with the other signal, a timing member movable at a constant rate of speed and having means for shifting said switch from the first to the second relation at a given point in its movement, a control switch for said timing member arranged to be operated thereby at the same time tostop the motion of the timing member, a main switch controlled by the parked vehicle for putting the aforesaid elements into action, and coin controlled means for restoring or maintaining the first condition of said two-way switch and for continuing the motion of said timing means.

.5. A parking indicator comprising a plurality of diflferent signals in parallel electric circuits, a two-way switch-normally in closed circuit'relation'with one of said signals and adapted to be shifted into open circuit relation thereto and closed circuit relation with the other signal, a timing member movable at a constant rate of speed and having means for shifting said switch from the first to the second relation at a given point in its movement, a control switch for said timing member arranged to be operated thereby at the same time to stop the motion of the timing member, a main switch controlled by the parked vehicle for putting the aforesaid elements into action, a coin receiver, electrical means operated by a coin placed in said receiver for restoring or continuing the first named condition of the two-way switch and for continuing the motion of said timing member, and means operable in connection with the movement of said timing member for displacing the received coin from its operative position, whereby to arrest the timing means with the two-way switch in its second named condition- 6. A signal apparatus for showing over time i ing berth and normally open when the berth is unoccupied, a self-starting electric motor in circuit with said switch, a motor-controlling switch interposed in said circuit, an electric signal also in circuit with the mainswitch, a signal controlling switch interposed in the latter circuit, a

timing member movable by the-motor adapted when in one position to cause the motor controlling switch to be closed and the signal controlling switch to be opened, and in another position to cause opening of the motor controlling switch and closing of the signal controlling switch, a switch closable by a deposited coin in series circuit with the-main switch, an electromagnetic apparatus in circuit with said coin controlled switch and operable when the latter is closed by a coin for opening the signal circuit independently of said timing means, a movable coin receiver and displacer adapted to hold the deposited coin in closing relation to the coin controlled switch and displace the coin out of such closing relation, and propelling means for the coin receiver actuated by said motor.

'7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, comprising further means controlled by the main switch and operable upon opening thereof for discharging immediately a coin held by said receiver.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which the coin receiver is provided with retractable coin supporting means combined with an actuator for said supporting means operable by closing of the main switch to place said means in coin supporting position, and by opening of the main switch to retract the supporting means and permit immediate dislodgment of a coin supported thereby. from circuit closing position.

9; A signal apparatus as claimed in ,claim 6, comprising further automatic means for restoring the timing member and coin receiver to starting position upon opening of the main switch.

10 In an apparatus of the character described, a signal closing switch comprising a relatively movable contact and relatively stationary contact, a movable timing member engageable with said movable contact and adapted to shift the latter into engagement with the fixed contact, a holder on which the members of said switch are mounted, and means for shifting the holder so as to place the movable contact into and out of the influence of said timing member.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, comprising a main switch operable by a parked automobile, circuits controlled by said main switch, an electric motor for driving the timing member included in one of said circuits, the said signal switch being in another of said circuits, an electromagnetic means in still another of said circuits, a normally open switch adapted to be closed by a deposited coin in the last named circuit, and means for causing displacement of such a coin from its switch closing position.

12. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, a coin controlled electrical actuator for said holde a carrier for the coins deposited to control said actuator, said carrier comprising a disk, a star wheel having coin supporting boundaries adapted to be projected from the disk and retracted into a recess in the face thereof, oscillatable cam means for so retracting and projecting said star wheel, and means controlled by the parked vehicle for projecting the star wheel when parked and retracting the star wheel when the vehicle has left the parking berth. V

13. In an apparatus of the character described,

aw re the combination .of a motor, a signal controlling member driven by said' motor, a coin receiver, connections between said motor and coin receiver for driving the latter at a rate in definite proportion to the rate of driven movement of said signal controlling member, and means operable by a parked vehicle for putting said motor into operation.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, comprising further means for returning said signal controlling member and coin receiver to starting position when the vehicle has left the parking berth.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including a switch closable by a parked vehicle, electrical means operable by closing of said switch starting position, when said main switch is opened.

16. A metering apparatus comprising an electrically operated signal, a self starting electric motor, main circuit closing means for simultaneously opening and closing the circuits of both the signal and motor, a secondary switch in each of said circuits, timing means driven by the motor for causing operation of both secondary switches, and coin controlled means for reversing the condition of the secondary switches imposed by said timing means.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an electric motor, a switch in the circuit of said motor organized to open the circuit automatically unless overcome by superior force, a motor driven cam acting upon said switch, constructed to close the switch when in one position and permit opening of the switch when in another position, and coin controlled means for holding the switch in closed position regardless of the position of said cam.

18. A metering apparatus of the character described, comprising a. self starting electric motor, a normally closed switch in the current supply circuit of said motor, a normally open switch adapted to be closed for initially starting the motor, timing means driven by the motor for causing the normally closed switch to be opened after a given time so as to stop the motor, and electromagnetic means operable-by a deposited coin for shifting said switch so as to close it after having been so opened, or to prevent its initial opening.

19. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an electric signal, an electric motor, switches located in the supply circuits of the signal and motor respectively, timing means driven by the motor for controlling said switches and adapted to cause shifting of the signal switch and opening of the motor circuit switch after a period ,tion, a timing member movable at a constant rate of speed and having means for shifting said switch from the first to the second relation at'a the motor and having such form and position that it holds the separable switch contact against the other during part of its motor driven movement and during another part of its movement leaves the separable contact tree to separate from the other contact, and coin controlled means connected to said separable contact and operable by an inserted coin to place the separable contact against the other contact while the separable contact is free from the restraint 10 ot the timing member.

ROGER W. BABSON. 

